Clock Computing Machines for Malware-Resistant Cryptography
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current computing systems are vulnerable to malware infections due to identical machine instructions on different processor chips, which can lead to significant vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure such as the Internet and air traffic control, highlighting the need for new technologies resistant to malware infection.
Innovation Solution
The development of clock computing machines that utilize prime numbers and clocks instead of traditional logic gates, enabling unique physical instantiations of cryptographic ciphers and obfuscating execution to break up timing patterns, thereby enhancing cybersecurity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional logic gate-based computing machines are used, then computing operations can be performed, but the systems are vulnerable to malware infections due to identical machine instructions on different processor chips
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of computing by replacing binary logic gates with clock machines that have a variable number of time states (including prime numbers). This parameter change creates unique physical instantiations of cryptographic ciphers on different processor chips, making malware infection significantly more difficult while maintaining computational capability through parallel Boolean function evaluation.
2Reliability
If unique physical instantiations of cryptographic ciphers are implemented using clock machines, then security against malware is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the computing function into multiple clock machines, each with a specific number of time states (e.g., prime numbers). Each clock machine independently evaluates portions of Boolean functions, and their results are combined to produce the final output. This segmentation creates unique cryptographic instantiations while distributing the complexity across multiple simpler components rather than requiring one complex monolithic structure.
3Reliability
If clock machines with prime number of time states are used, then cryptographic security is enhanced, but the computing speed may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action through clock machines that operate in cyclic time states (including prime number cycles). These clock machines periodically evaluate Boolean functions and combine their results, creating a rhythmic computational process that enhances cryptographic security through unique timing patterns while maintaining computing speed through parallel operation of multiple clock machines with different periodicities.
Data Source
AI summary
A new computational machine is invented, called a clock machine, that is a novel alternative to computing machines (digital computers) based on logic gates. In an embodiment, computation is performed with one or more clock machines that use time. In an embodiment, a cryptographic cipher is implemented with random clock machines, constructed from a non-deterministic process, wherein the compiled set of instructions (i.e., the implementation of the cryptographic procedure) is distinct on each device or chip that executes the cryptographic cipher. In an embodiment, by using a different set of clock machines to execute two different instances of the same cryptographic procedure, each execution of a procedure looks different to malware that may try to infect and subvert the cryptographic procedure. This cryptographic process also makes timing attacks more challenging. In an embodiment, a detailed implementation of the Midori cipher with random clock machines is described.